Container



Sept. 13, 1932.. r--.- c. T'RUESBURYY I 1,377,372

CONTAINER Filed June 20, 1931 Patented Sept. 13, 1932 umrso suresP'ATEN'IKO'FFICE rm 0. rmmsnumr, or nocnoan, mnnvo 18, nssrenon r .1. L.can: nammac'runme 00., ornocnonnnmmors, nconronanon or rumors CONTAINERThe invention relates generally to containers and more particularly tocontainers having valved openings in the walls thereof through which thecontents may be removed I] or discharged.

An important object of the resent invention is to provide a container fdr condiments and similar finely comminuted substances, said containerembodying a simple and inex- [1Q pensive valve of which the containermaybe filled and its contents removed either by pouring or sifting, orby the withdrawal of different measured quantities of material from thecontaingfl} er by the use of a spoon pressed against differently shapededges of the outlet opening.

Another object is to provide a valve structure of this character adaptedfor use on small containers. Another object-isto provide a containerhaving a valve structure for controlling the removal of the contentsthereof and embodying new and improved means to prevent undesired lossof material, particularly during 9,! shipping of the'container.

Another object is-to provide a container having valve structureembodying a rotatable valve member and employing improved and simplifiedmeans to maintain the valve 80 member in position.to seal the container.

In the drawing, which illustrates three embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a fragmental vertical sectional view of a containerembodying the invention in its preferred form, the section being takensubstantially along the line 11 of Fig. 3 and showin the valve memberbefore it has been secure in place. 7

2 is a fragmentary view taken along the lme12-2 of Fig. 3 showing thevalve member after it been secured to the container.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the container with allof the outletopenings closed.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showingholes opened for use. p 1

Fig. 5 is a plan view'showing the valve member 'positionedto provide arelatively small pouring opening. Fig. 6-.is a view showing the valvestructure through the medium the 1931. Serial no. 545,682.;

member positioned so as to close the sifter holes and provide acomparatively large openin for measuring purposes.

Fig. is a plan view showing an alternative form."

Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional and plan views respectively. showing anotheralternative construction.

In the form shown in Figs.'1 to 6, the invention is embodied in acontainer of substantially square cross section having a side wall 11and closed at its upper end by an'end wall 12. The end Wall 12 isprovided with a movable valve or closure plate 13 for governing acomparatively large opening 14 and sifter holes 15 formed in the wall 12beneath the plate. y

The closure plate 13 is preferably mounted for rotative movement inclose sliding 'contact with the outer surface ofthe end Wall 12 and tothis end has a curved peripheral edge, with a central aperture 16 (Fig.3) therein through which pivot means such as prongs 17 may extend. Theprongs 1 7 are struck outwardly from the metal of the wall the outersurface of the plate 13 as shown in Figs. 2 to 6. The plate 13 and thewall 12 beneath the wardly to provide a slightly dome-like form, thedome-like portion of the wall 12 being formed with a centralcircular'depressionor recess 12 within which the closure plate 13rotates.

To insure close contact of the plate and the wall 12 and therebysecurely seal the openings 14 and 15, the plate 13 is initially formedwith a greater radius of curvature than the wall 12 so that t e centralportion of the plate is initially spac d from the wall 12, as shown inFig. 1. By pressing the center of the plate 13 a 'ainstt'he wall 12 andbending the prongs 1 as shown in Fig. 2, the resiliency of the plate iscaused to press the edges of the plate firmly. against the bottom of therecess 12, and the deformation of the plate are preferably bent outformas indicated at 14".

" the sifter 'is uncovered as shown in simultaneously closed by theplate 13, or may be selectively opened in varying amounts by rotation ofthe plate. To this end the plate 13 has a segment cut away at one sidethereof to provide a straight edge 20 offset slightly to one side of thepivotal axis of the plate so that the plate is adapted in its pivotalmovement to gradually uncover either the opening 14 or the sitter holes15.

The present embodiment of the invention contemplates utilization of theopening 14 to facilitate withdrawal of difierent measured quantities ofmaterial from the container through the use of a spoon, and to this endthe opening 14 has one of its edges 14 formed straight while the otheredge is arcuate in Thus as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the opening14 is of sufficient size to permit passage of the bowl 21 of a spoon sothat the bowl may be withdrawn from the container with its side edges incontact with either of the edges 14 or 14 to strike oil the contents ofthe spoon. By selective use of the edges 14 or 14 or heaping spoonful ofmaterial may be withdrawn from the container.

To maintain the area of the closure plate 13 at the minimum and thusadapt the structure for use on small containers, the straight edge 14'"of the opening 14 in the top wall 12 is slightly ofiset from therotative axis of the plate 13 while the arcuate edge 14 is locatedoutwardly of the edge 14 and adjacent to the curved outer edge of therecess 12 Also, the straight edge 20 of the closure plate is positionedsimilarly to the edge 14 of the closure plate with the result that bylocating holes 15 closely adjacent to one, end of the opening 14, theimperforate plate 13 is adapted to close simultaneously both the opening14 and the sifter holes 15, as shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand thesitter openings 15 will be closed when the opening 14 Fig. 6; and theopening 1.4 may be closed when the Sifter holes alone are uncovered(Fig. 4). Fig. shows the opening 14 partially uncovered near one'edge ofthe plate, for pouring purposes.

In Fig. 7 a modified form is shown wherein sifter'holes formed in theclosure plate 13 rather than in the wall 12 as in the form shown inFigs. 1 to 6.

To insure complete closure of the container when desired, as duringshipping, detent means is provided to act between the closure plate 13and the wall 12. To this end a pair of bosses 22' struck upwardly fromthe a level bottom of the recess 12" (Figs. and 3) are arranged to abutthe straight edge of the plate 13 at spaced points to hold itin itsclosed position. Free movement of the 010- sure plate is obtained bypositioning the the outer edge of the rewhich the bosses 22 mayextend.This groove 23 may be formed b beading the ed e of the late as shown inigs. 1, 2 and 3, a d preferably this head extends I also along thestraight edge 20 with the result that the plate is materiallystrengthened. After the closure plate 13 has been moved from its closedpositlon, one of the bosses 22 projects upwardly into the groove 23 asshown in Fig. 4 and free movement of the plate results. In somepositions, both bosses 22 extend into the groove, and whenever the plateis restored to its closed position the bosses act to hold the plateagainst undesired displacement. It will be noted thatthe bead along thestraight edge 20 extends transversely of the groove 23 provide anabutment the bosses 22.

Through eflicient utilization of the area of the closure plate and wall12 as above described, it is possible to make the opening 14 quite largewith respect to thesize of the container, and as a result it is alsopossible to use the opening 14 for filling purposes. enables themanufacture of the container to permanently fasten both of the ends onthe container and thereby simplifies the use of the container and avoidsthe necessity for using frictionally held telescoping parts. Thus afterthe container has been filled, the

for engagement by ,only operation necessary. is the rotation of theclosure plate 13 from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shownin Fig. 3, Moreover the arrangement and shape of the openings 14 and 15maintains the size of the valve structure at the minimum and yet permitsits use for pouring, sifting or measuring of the contents of thecontainer. In addition, it will be seen that the flanged edge of thecover plate 13, being forced against the vertical side walls of therecess 12 in the attachment of the plate, serves to provide anadditional seal coo eratingwith the close sliding joint with the ottomof-th'e recess to prevent undesired loss container. 1

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate another alternative construction adapted toguard against loss of material from the container during ihipment. Thisconstruction is particulara? slip cover 24 which may be placed on thewall 11 of the container after the container has been filled. The slipcover 24 comprises inner and outer cup shaped members 25 and 26 groovedtogether in their sides as at 27 to, permit relative rotation, andhaving Thls adapted for use on containers embodying of material from themeasurin and sifter openings 28 and 29 therein a apted to be opened orclosed selectively by relative rotation of the two members 25 and 26.Between the two members 25 and 26 an imperforate sheet 30 of frangiblematerial such as paperis positioned to close the openings 28 and 29.Preferably the sheet 30 is secured as by adhesive to the outer member 26for rotation therewith so that to open the container it is onlynecessary to perforate the sheet at one point, as for example, tocorrespond with the opening 28 in the outer plate. The opening in thesheet 30 is made when the openings 28 of the two members are inregistry, after which the sifter holes 29 may be uncovered simply byrotation of the member 26.

I claim as my invention:

1. A container having side walls and an end wall, said end wall havingan opening formed therein, a closure member mounted on said wall forrotation about an axis positioned at one side of said opening and-shapedto close said opening or in rotation about said axis to graduallyuncover said opening, said opening being formed to provide a mouthhaving a thin straight edge and a thin curved edge, said mouth being ofa size adapted to permit the bowl of a spoon to be withdrawn therefromwith its edges in contact with either of the side edges of the mouth tomeasure different quantities of material on the spoon, and said wallhaving a plurality \of sifter holes formed therein adjacent to one endof said openin and positioned to permit closure thereo by sald closuremember while said opening is closed.

2. A container having a wall member with an opening therein, a closuremember rotatably mounted in close sliding contact to said' wall memberfor covering or uncovering said opening, said members havinginterengageable abutments thereon for restraining the closure againstmovement, ane one of said members having a groove formed thereincentered on the axis of rotation of said closure and into which theabutment of the other member may extend to permit free rotation of saidclosure member.

3. A container having an opening in one wall, a closure member rotatablymounted on said wall in close sliding contact therewith and adapted tocover or uncover said opening,

said closure member having a bead formed about its edge centered on theaxis of rotation of the member to reinforce the member and provide agroove facing toward said wall, an abutment on said closure memberextending transversely of said groove, and an abutment on said wall forengagement with the abutment on said closure member to restrain movementthereof and positioned to extend into said groove when the closure 5member is rotated.

by cutting an opening thereina 4, A container of v the characterdescribed having an end wall with an opening therein,

a closure plate adapted selectively to close.

engaging said wall and said plate providing a pivot for said plate andtral portion of the plate whereby the resiliency of the edges thereofinto firm wall.

5. A container of the character set forth having an end wall with acircular recess formed therein and an opening eccentrically located inthe bottom of said recess, a closure member in the form of a thin diskof resilient metal, located in said recess and initially formed so thatthe central portion of the member is spaced from the bottom of saidrecess, and pivot means for said member engaging said wall and saidmember to draw the central portion of said member against the bottom ofsaid recess and force the edges of the member into contact with thesides of clamping said cenagainst said Wall said plate presses contactwith said said recess.

6. A container having an end wall memher and a closure member movablymounted thereon, said wall and said member having openings thereinadapted in one relation to be closed and in another to be in registry,and an imperforate sheet of frangible material positioned between saidmembers and secured to the closure member to close said openings.

7. A container having an end wall member with an opening therein and aclosure member. movably mounted on said end. wall for closing saidopening, one of said members having sifter holes formed therein adaptedto be opened in one relation of the parts, and an imperforate sheet offrangible material positioned between said members to close said openingand said sifter holes and secured a ainst movement relatively to theother one 0 said members.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

FRED C. TRUESBURY.

